Lever-type erection apparatus



Feb. 15, 1966 N. R. TOFFOLON LEVER-TYPE ERECTION APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. NORMAN R. TOFFOLOh BY alg ATTOR N EYS Filed Dec. '7, 1962 Feb. 15, 1966 Filed Dec. 7,

N. R. TOFFOLON LEVER-TYPE ERECTION APPARATUS k 2 \K N 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 15, 1966 Filed Dec. '7, 1962 FIG. 5

LEVER-TYPE ERECTION APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 LI "3L; "l

:74 6w if 7% 7/ ZZZ 2 86 86 Z 58 E A J 7a 8 a2 9% h 2n E 1| i: 78 H United States Patent 3,235,227 LEVER-TYPE ERECTION APPARATUS Norman R. Tolfolon, Plainville, C0nn., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Norman R. Toffolon and Louis Toffolon, Piainville, Conna Filed Dec. 7, 1%2, Ser. No. 242,961 Claims. (Cl. 254131) This invention relates to a method and apparatus which may be employed in the erection of prefabricated panels, large open frames, and like structures.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for erecting prefabricated panels or the like whereby the panels can be erected with speed and facility and in the absence of power driven equipment.

The drawings show a preferred method and apparatus and such method and apparatus will be described, but it will be understood that various changes may be made in the method and apparatus disclosed, and that the drawings and description are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a pair of erected panels and a second pair of panels in position for erection.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective View showing a portion of a panel and an erection apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an end elevation of a pair of opposing panels in position for erection and also shows first and second erection apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 4 is a further end elevation showing afirst panel and a portion of a second in erected position and also shows the erection apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section taken generally as indicated at 5-5 in FIG. 4 and illustrates the method of connecting inner and upper portions of adjacent erected panels.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section taken generally as indicated at 6-6 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary section taken generally as indicated at 7-7 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section taken generally as indicated at 8-S in FIG. 7.

Generally speaking, the method-of the present invention comprises the steps of arranging the inner end portions of a pair of opposing panelsin prone outer-faceup and overlapping relationship. The outer end portions of the said panels are aligned respectively with and immediately adjacent the desired erected positions of the said end portions. First and second panel erection apparatus are provided and each apparatus comprises a beam member which is engageable at a lower end portion with an outer end portion of a panel and which extends upwardly from the panel when so engaged. Each erection apparatus also comprises a connecting means which is secured at one end portion to the beam in spaced relationship with an engaged panel and which is connectible at an opposite end portion with the panel. The erection apparatus are engaged respectively with the opposing panels and the outer end portion of one beam member is moved arcuately in a direction away from and downwardly with respect to its corresponding panel while the lower end portion of the beam is maintained in engagement with the panel. In this manner, the panel is pivotally lifted about its outer end portion and is brought to the erected position. The second erection apparatus is then manipulated me similar manner whereby to erect the second or opposing panel and to bring the inner end ICC portions of the panels into adjacent raised relationship. The said inner end portions of the panels are then connected whereupon the panels are self-supporting to form a portion of a building. In the exercise of the method of the invention, it is to be observed that the beam members provide a mechanical advantage whereby manually exerted forces are effective to raise and erect the panels quickly and with facility and power driven equipment is rendered nonessential.

Referring now particularly to the drawings, it will be observed that left and righthand panels L and R are shown in erected position in FIG. 1. Left and right-hand L and R of a second pair of opposing panels are shown in a prone position wherein they are arranged in accordance with the invention for erection. The erected panels L and R have inner end portions 10 and 1.2 respectively which are in raised adjacent relationship and which are connected together as will be described. Outer end portions 14 and 16 of said panels are disposed respectively on left and right-hand sill or foundation members 18 and 20. The sill or foundation members 18 and 20 may vary substantially in form and an illustrative embodiment thereof will be set forth hereinbelow.

As stated, the panels L and R are arranged in accordance with the method of the invention for erection. In such position, inner end portions 22, 24 of the panels are arranged in overlapping relationship and in prone outerface-up attitudes. Outer end portions 26, 28 of the panels L and R are arranged respectively in alignment With and immediately adjacent the desired erected positions of said end portions, i.e., the sills or foundations 18, 2t

Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be observed that an erection apparatus 3% comprises a lower bearing member 32 which is adapted for engagement with and along an end edge portion 34 of a panelsuch as the panel R The bearing member 32 more particularly takes a generally L-shaped form in cross-section and is engageable with contiguous generally right-angularly related surfaces extending along and adjacent the said end edge 34 of the panel R Connected with and extending upwardly and generally angularly outwardly from the bearing member 32 and the panel R is a beam member 36 of the erection apparatus. The said beam member is shown as comprising a pair of bracketed together wood structural members but obviously other forms of the beam fall within the scope of the invention. The lower endportion of the beam 36 is connected with the bearing member 32 by means of suitable bolts or the like and an extension 38 arranged approximately at the center of said bearing member.

Bracing means are preferably associated with the beam 36 and the bearing member 32 and said means may comprise first and second flexible members 40, 42 connected with the beam member 36 by means of a bracket 44 in spaced relationship with the bearing member 32. Lower end portions of the bracing members 44), 4-2 are connected respectively at opposite ends of the bearing member 32 whereby to bracethe same and to'prevent pivotal movement thereof about the end of thebeam member.

At its outer or upper end portion the beam member 36 has attached thereto and depending therefrom a member 46 which is preferably flexible as shown and may comprise a light cable or a sturdy hemp rope.

A connecting means comprising a rope or flexible cable member having strands 4S, Sit is also preferably provided. Strands 48, 50 of the rope or flexible cable member are connected at upper end portions with the beam 36 in spaced relationship with its said lower end portion and preferably about half way up said beam as. illustrated in FIG. 3. A bracket 52 may be employed for such connection.

At the lower end portion of the strands 48 and 50, a spreader member 54 is preferably provided as shown. The spreader member 54 has opposite end portions thereof connected with the strands 48 and 58 whereby to maintain the said strands at least approximately in position for attachment to a panel such as the panel R Attachment of the strands to the panel may be effected as by means of eye bolts 56, 58. Obviously, attachment of the strands 48 and '8 with the panel R must be effected in spaced relationship with the bearing member 32 in order to provide the desired mechanical advantage. The location of such attachment may of course vary with different panels but as shown, attachment may be effected at slightly less than one-third of the distance along the panel viewed from outer to inner end portions.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 and returning to a consideration of the method of the invention, it will be observed that left and right-hand erection apparatus 30L and 30R can be respectively engaged with a pair of prone panels L and R arranged as described for FIG. 1. With the apparatus so connected, one of said apparatus may be manipulated, as for example the right-hand apparatus 30R in FIG. 3, to erect the corresponding panel R The rope or cable 46 of the apparatus 30R may be grasped and pulled downwardly by workmen as indicated in FIG. 3 whereby to swing the upper end portion of the beam 36 arcuately downwardly and outwardly away from the panel R and to erect the panel as illustrated in FIG. 4. Thereafter, the left-hand panel L may be raised to its erected position by similar manipulation of the left-hand apparatus 30L. When the panels L and R have been raised to erect positions as illustrated in FIG. 4, their inner end portions 22, 24 may be brought together and connected whereby to provide a self-supporting portion of a building.

It Will be noted in FIG. 4 that a workman 60 has a cable or rope 62 attached to the right-hand panel R Attachment may be by means of an eye bolt such as 64 shown in FIG. 5 and advantage may be thus obtained in aligning the inner end portions of the panels for connection with each other.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, it will be observed that the panels L and R have end beams or structural members 66, 68. When said panels are brought together as shown in FIG. 4, the said beams or structural members are in engagement with each other. Obviously, the beams may be secured together whereby to secure the panels together by means of suitable bolts 70, 70 and brackets 72, 72. Similarly, adjacent panels such as L and R in FIG. 5 can be bolted to the first erected panels as by means of bolts 74, 74.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, it will be observed that the sill or foundation 20 may comprise a concrete member including upstanding imbedded bolts 76, 76. Each panel such as the panel R may include a base beam 78 provided with an elongated bolt receiving opening 80. Brackets 82, 82 may also be employed to provide for additional security of the panel-to-sill connection. As will be apparent, the bolt 76 may be entered in the openings 80, 80 in the base beams 78 as the panels are erected. On erection of the panels the connection may be completed by use of nuts such as 84 engageable with the bolts 76 and the brackets 82. Interconnetion of adjacent panels such as R R in FIG. 7 may be effected by means of suitable bolts and brackets such as 86, 86 and 88, 88.

The invention claimed is:

1. Apparatus for erecting prefabricated panels or the like comprising an elongated generally L-shaped downwardly open bearing'member engageable with contiguous generally right angularly related top and end surfaces extending along and adjacent an end edge of a panel disposed in a prone position, an elongated beam member connected at a lower end portion with said bearing member at approximately the center of the latter and extending upwardly therefrom and angularly away from an en gaged panel, an elongated flexible connecting means secured to said beam member at one end portion in spaced relationship with said bearing member and adapted at an opposite end portion for attachment with an engaged panel in spaced relationship with the said bearing member, and an elongated flexible member attached to and depending from an upper end portion of said beam member and adapted to be urged downwardly whereby to swing said upper end portion of said beam arc-uately downwardly and away from an engaged panel and to erect the panel.

2. Apparatus for erecting prefabricated panels or the like comprising an elongated generally L-shaped downwardly open bearing member engageable with contiguous generally right angularly related top and end surfaces extending along and adjacent an end edge of a panel disposed in a prone position, an elongated beam member connected at a lower end portion with said bearing member at approximately the center of the latter and extending upwardly therefrom and angularly away from an engaged panel, a connecting means comprising an elongated flexible cable member having first and second strands each secured to said beam member at one end portion in spaced relationship with said bearing member and each having an opposite end portion adapted for attachment with an engaged panel in spaced relationship with the said bearing member, and a member attached to and depending from an upper end portion of said beam member and adapted to be urged downwardly whereby to swing said upper end portion of said beam arcuately downwardly and away from an engaged panel and to erect the panel.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 and including a spreader member connected at opposite end portions respectively with said opposite end portions of said strands of said cable member.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 and including bracing means comprising first and second flexible members extending respectively from said beam member above said bearing member to opposite end portions of the latter.

5. Apparatus for erecting prefabricated panels or the like comprising an elongated generally L-shaped downwardly open bearing member engageable with contiguous generally right angularly related top and end surfaces extending along and adjacent an end edge of a panel disposed in a prone position, an elongated beam member connected at a lower end portion with said bearing member at approximately the center of the latter and extending upwardly therefrom and angularly away from an engaged panel, an elongated connecting means secured to said beam member at one end portion in spaced relationship with said bearing member and adapted at an opposite end portion for attachment with an engaged panel in spaced relationship with the said bearing member, and an elongated flexible member attached to and depending from an upper end portion of said beam member and adapted to be urged downwardly whereby to swing said upper end portion of said beam arcuately downwardly and away from an engaged panel and to erect the panel.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 22,047 11/1858 Wood 254-127 469,119 2/ 1892 Browning 2 l4375 768,139 8/1904 Notthoff 254131 907,034 12/1908 Gracey 2l4375 1,714,401 5/1929 Sigsbee 294-15 2,846,259 8/1958 Sadler 29415 2,873,519 2/1959 Milne 29463 2,948,061 8/1960 Carstens 29463 2,979,017 4/1961 Soper 254-420 WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

WHITMORE A. WILTZ, MILTON S. MEHR, Examiners. 

5. APPARATUS FOR ERECTING PREFABRICATED PANELS OR THE LIKE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED GENERALLY L-SHAPED DOWNWARDLY OPEN BEARING MEMBER ENGAGEABLE WITH CONTIGUOUS GENERALLY RIGHT ANGULARLY RELATED TOP AND END SURFACES EXTENDING ALONG AND ADJACENT AN END EDGE OF A PANEL DISPOSED IN A PRONE POSITION, AN ELONGATED BEAM MEMBER CONNECTED AT A LOWER END PORTION WITH SAID BEARING MEMBER AT APPROXIMATELY THE CENTER OF THE LATTER AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY THEREFROM AND ANGULARLY AWAY FROM AN ENGAGED PANEL, AN ELONGATED CONNECTING MEANS SECURED TO SAID BEAM MEMBER AT ONE END PORTION IN SPACED RELATION- 